Sip Your Bliss

Want to drink up every last drop of joy that life has to offer? Then try sipping from one of these irresistibly cheerful mugs! From the imagination of artist Kristin Nelson, the mismatched colors and big, round eyes suggest a beloved, quilted animal from childhood. The adorably oversized ears rest perfectly against your thumbs as you cradle your warming drink in your hands. And once your beverage is gone, painted inside the mug you will discover a smile of perfect, blissful contentment. Handmade in Seattle, Washington.

details

Handmade

Community Voted

Item ID

21620

Made from

ceramic,
glaze

Measurements

6.75" L x 3.5" W x 3.5" H, 12 oz.

Notes

The dishes are top rack dishwasher safe: position them securely in the machine so that they will not knock against anything else and chip. Not recommended for microwave or freezer use.
This item is breakable ceramic and not intended for small children.

the maker

Kristin Nelson

A Seattle native, Kristin Nelson has been a ceramic artist since 1983. She has a background in fashion design and textiles, and studied weaving in Sweden, receiving her degree in ceramics from the University of Washington. An avid outdoorswoman, she is married to professional kayaker and writer, Nigel Foster.
Nelson’s first, line, Kri Kri, was first sold at Barneys New York in 1991. Since then, it has been sold at myriad shops boutiques and museum stores in the US, Canada and Japan. Originally inspired by the wrought iron work in Montreal, where she lived for 5 years, the Kri Kri graphics evolved into an elaborate collection of whimsical creatures and animated botanical ornament inspired by her travels and love of nature.
In the beginning all the sake cups, rice bowls and mugs were pinched by hand! Today, all the originals for the plaster molds are still fashioned in the same way, but slip casting multiples is far more efficient and the results are lighter in weight and more uniform. Over the years tools have been acquired to facilitate production, yet it is surprising how many steps and how much hands on work still goes into each individual piece. Once upon a time, there were employees at Kri Kri Studio. Today, it is only Kristin. Fortunately, she has come to enjoy the strategy of producing large orders and, having gained a pretty good understanding of the processes involved, become quite efficient at it. Equally important is that the quality of her work has gone up. Designs and products are continually evolving. It remains her passion and it's still fun!

Q and A

When our community voted on this product, some also shared comments - read them below:

323votes, 65 comments

Cassie, UncommonGoods Community Moderator

These mugs are appropriately named. Now that we've seen them, we can't stop smiling! The big, round eyes, the bright colors, and Kristin Nelson's wonderful craftsmanship have us excited about this design. Click on the alternate image below the main photo for a happy surprise, then tell us why you love this potential uncommon good.

JalenaVote: Thumbs up!

Adorable and US made

ChrisVote: Thumbs down!

Be too hard to hold, not large enough on the handles

LeeVote: Thumbs down!

They look like they would be really hard to use if they were filled with hot liquid. They are cute though.

JenniferVote: Thumbs down!

I agree that they would be too hard to hold but they're very cute.

ginaVote: Thumbs up!

I won't buy anything for eating/drinking/serving that isn't both microwave and dishwasher safe. Glad to see dishwasher safe specified in the description, but would want to know about the microwave as well.

nigelVote: Thumbs up!

I love this item! The best hand-warmer in my office and always makes me smile!

AvaVote: Thumbs down!

Seems cute but hard to hold.

SusanVote: Thumbs up!

they are so cute, what a good gift they would for a new Mother or anyone

susieVote: Thumbs up!

These mugs make me happy!

barbVote: Thumbs up!

Love them, keep my toothbrushes in them and they make you smile.

MarlowVote: Thumbs up!

My kids would just love these! I hate plastic kids stuff, and this is a perfect solution.

KathyVote: Thumbs up!

I have the yellow one!

ShawnaVote: Thumbs up!

I love the smile mugs! I have two, and they are wonderful conversation pieces and they brighten up your whole day!

EricVote: Thumbs up!

I love these mugs! They are fun to use but also can be used as a decoration piece. Great vibrant colors too. You have to smile when you use one. :)

brianVote: Thumbs up!

I gave these to my kids for tea and such. They love them!

RichardVote: Thumbs up!

Just love this cups. Makes me happy every day!

gwenVote: Thumbs up!

adorable! and nothing that i've ever seen before. made in USA makes them especially cool

Gail

I have given some of these as gifts and my friends have loved them.

peter

I love these!

Richard Vote: Thumbs up!

Awesome color combo

PatVote: Thumbs up!

Kri kri makes coffee fun!

kayVote: Thumbs up!

I use my blue one for morning tea! The little ears make for great handles,perfect for warming up my hands while reading

MalorieVote: Thumbs up!

What do you mean, "Too hard to hold"? Haven't you ever heard of the ears being used as handles? LoL

Karin

I love these cups! They make me smile. I gave one to my friend's little daughter. It is now her favorite cup!

SuzanneVote: Thumbs up!

adorable

MattVote: Thumbs up!

They're awesome to use and cheer you up- Kristin's stuff is great!

TracyVote: Thumbs down!

I love the smile at the bottom of the mugs, but the face on the front is odd looking. Not quite happy. Sort of dazed, or drugged. Does NOT make me smile.

LisaVote: Thumbs down!

Cute. I just would rather they had a better handle on them.

KatieVote: Thumbs up!

Too cute to pass up!

Liz

Would like to see larger handles, but I'd still buy.

ArubagalVote: Thumbs up!

They're sweet. I like to start the day with a smile.

nicoleVote: Thumbs up!

Not too cute! I think these would appeal to all ages, men or women.

shanaVote: Thumbs up!

perfect marriage of whimsy and practicality! Love them.

JenniferVote: Thumbs down!

I like the smiles but the outsides don't really sit well with me

TerraVote: Thumbs up!

Very cute but seems hard to hold, usually you like to cup your drink when you drink but these could be used for decoration.

CatphileVote: Thumbs up!

really cute but I'd need to know how much they hold (number of ounces) before I'd buy

KatherineVote: Thumbs up!

Part weird. Part cute. Right up my alley.

jaymaVote: Thumbs up!

love Kri Kri pottery~Own a number of pieces....

JackieVote: Thumbs up!

Love happy things!! ... and especially smiley faces

SheilaVote: Thumbs down!

I'm a smiley face purist.

ChrisVote: Thumbs up!

Nice way to add a smile to your day.

Susan

Irresistible, engaging smile!

BarbaraVote: Thumbs up!

Very cute. Glad they are US made

DeborahVote: Thumbs up!

I like them but they are probably not practical for everyday.

Cathy

These are so cute! I would definitely buy these!!

Vote: Thumbs down!

kinda creepy

FernVote: Thumbs down!

Too difficult to handle especially for seniors with poor dexterity

ValerieVote: Thumbs up!

Adorable! I wonder, as others have, how the mugs handle hot liquid... Still, I would buy and give them a try!